6

It felt like we were walking forever. My mom eventually lifted me onto her Wolf's back, felt guilty knowing she was just as tired as I was but I couldn't bring my legs to work anymore.

My senses only jilted back to life after hearing those men call out, "who goes there!" We were finally at the border of dark blood pack. It was heavily patrolled by the most giant men with the most defined muscles. They looked ready to pounce on us. It was a werewolf only territory.

I hopped off my moms back while she shifted. "We are here to see Alpha Kaden," my mom took the lead, holding me behind her with one hand. One thing she would always let them know was how protective she could get. Nala and I felt intimidated by these men but my mom was here, she was my saving grace.

"And who are you?" One of the warriors stepped forward, scrunching his nose in disgust. I gasped inaudibly. We'd only just gone rogue, there was really no way we already smelled rotten, even if we did, it would be so minimal.

"I will only talk to the alpha." My mom maintained her strong stance.

"We don't let intruders in, back off!" He barked at her, I saw his claws fronting as he dared her to take a step forward.

"Don't hurt her! We are from The goddess shield pack, we've traveled all this way by foot, we mean no harm, you can search us, it's important that we talk to him, please." I yanked my mom a few steps backwards.

The one with his claws was resistant, panting heavily, glaring at my mom, he looked like he was an older werewolf now that I studied his face. "Calm down Clarion," another man put his hand on the chest of the man now identified as Clarion. He had spiky hair and looked more approachable and stepped in front of Clarion.

He looked between my mother and I, "what are your names?"

"Sonya, and this is my daughter Talie." My mom was trying to keep her calm, I could tell by the way she was squeezing her thumb with her other fingers.

"Alright, we will do a quick search," the nicer one said, reaching to search my mom with his hands.

"Are you joking Riggs? They could be dangerous, why aren't we beheading them right now?" Clarion snapped at him.

"Relax, they're women, we can't just send them back, it's so late and..."

"Oh so you think because we are women , we can't be dangerous, I'll have you know I'm the only female warrior in my pack, and one of the strongest of the team, I won't hesitate to take you both right here, right now, leaving you..."

"Mom, not the time." I said through gritted teeth.

"She's a ticking time bomb!" Clarion gritted his teeth together, clenching his fists by his side.

"That's not what I meant miss," Riggs raised his hands in defeat, "just saying it's not safe to let you go by yourself so late, now if you'll let us search you," he nudged Clarion's shoulder. With an hesitant grunt, Clarion reached forward to search me while Riggs would take my mom.

"I don't want that one touching my daughter," my mom glared at him, pulling his arm without warning so he was standing in front of her instead. "Search me."

Riggs came to search me instead. I couldn't concentrate, my eyes were fixed on my mom and Clarion, the unspoken tension as he scanned his hands through her clothes, not taking his gaze off her, veins palpating through his head. Agressive snatching of her bags and digging his claws into it, rummaging through.

"Get rid of those claws, if you ruin one thing of mine-"

"I think they're clean," Riggs said even before he was done searching me. He was trying to prevent any more issues arising from my mom and Clarion.

"Clarion take control, I'll lead them in," Riggs beckoned that we came with him. I loved how the other warriors didn't interfere, just stood still in patrol.

"If anything happens, you take all the blame." Clarion called over his shoulder.

"Like anything can defeat us if the need arises," Riggs smiled. Something about the way he said it made me shiver in fear.

"Are you okay baby?" My mom asked as we followed behind Riggs. Their borders were surrounded by tall grasslands with narrow paths that led into the pack. The open sky made me chilly with cold and the night crickets wallowed my ears with their cries.

"I'm fine mom, we are beggars in a strange land if we need acceptance, you're going to have to abandon the attitude for a second." I couldn't believe I was saying that, how the roles had reversed.

"He needed to know his place." She snorted.

"Mon, if Alpha Kaden's warriors are like that, what is he going to be like?" I scooted closer to her.

"That was only one warrior," she rolled her eyes, "besides, look at how welcoming Riggs is." She nodded in his direction. I was certain he could hear us but it was not a problem for me.

"You're right." I sighed, "but if he doesn't let us in?"

"He will."

It was almost as if the thought of being rogue was unimaginable for her. I just had to nod and hope for the best.

We finally got to town after walking for thirty minutes. No wonder their pack was so safe the borders were far and heavily guarded at all times.

"I just need a bed to sleep at this point," I groaned when Riggs continued taking us further in town. Every house was structured the same, arranged in a linear form, bungalow with a yard and fence, it was arranged on left and right sides.

I knew we were at the packhouse when I saw the building, it was the only one with a different structure. A tall storey building with a huge door. The main entrance was opened and Riggs led us further in.

"Have your seats, I have explaning to do." He said and disappeared up the stairs. The living room was lit with dim lights so I couldn't make out what it looked like exactly.

My mom held my hand, sitting next to me, "fingers crossed."

My heart was beating faster and my legs were shaky, alpha Kaden's decision was the only thing that would determine the course of the rest of our lives right now.

A familiar scent hit my nostrils as footsteps trailed down the steps. My mom and I looked in the direction of the steps and followed the silhouettes until they were in the living room.

The flicking on of brighter lights caused me to put my arm over my face, shielding my eyes and letting a groan at how blinding the lights were.

Riggs was here with another man and my jaw dropped open when I saw who he was, it was none other than the man I'd seen jerking off in the woods and kidnapping me.

"Sonya, Talie, meet Alpha Kaden." Riggs introduced him to us.